The year 2024 is the Year of the Dragon! 7 temples and shrines in Kyoto recommended for zodiac pilgrimages

Leaf KYOTO The year 2024 is the Year of the Dragon! 7 temples and shrines in Kyoto recommended for zodiac year pilgrimages

2024.1.1

The year 2024 is the Year of the Dragon! 7 temples and shrines in Kyoto recommended for zodiac year pilgrimages

The Chinese zodiac sign for the year 2024 is "辰", or dragon. There are many temples and shrines in Kyoto that are closely associated with dragons, making it a good place to pay homage to the Chinese zodiac in the year of the dragon. In this issue, we will introduce seven temples and shrines where you can encounter various dragons. Check out the special exhibitions and gifts offered as well.

Contents of this article

1.: 2024 will be a year of ascent in honor of the dragon.

2.: Unryuzu (dragon and clouds) at Tenryu-ji Temple, depicting dragons glaring in all directions / Arashiyama

3.: ［Receive an award related to the legend of the dragon hole at Yasaka Shrine / Gion, Gion, Hyogo Prefecture

4.: ［The fusuma paintings of clouds and dragons at Ryoan-ji Temple are open to the public for a limited time only / Omuro

5.: The wooden dragon carving popping up from the ceiling is a highlight [Takio Jinja] / Near Tofukuji Station

6.: You can meet komainu (guardian dragons) instead of komainu (guardian dogs) [Fushimi Shinpo Shrine] / Fushimi Inari

7.: Unryu (dragon and clouds) paintings by the Kano school can be seen at Sennyuji Temple / Higashiyama

8.: ［Mysterious experience with the dragon impulse at Unryuin / Sennyuji Temple

1.2024 will be a year of ascent in honor of the dragon.

そもそも龍とは、どんな存在なのだろう？十二支の中で唯一、空想の生き物とされているのが龍だ。その姿には、さまざまな動物の要素が混ざっている。例えば、2本の角は鹿で頭は駱駝（らくだ）、目は鬼、体は蛇に似ているのだそう。また、長いひげに耳もあり、背中は鱗におおわれている。ちなみに、中国の龍は爪が5本となっているが、日本の龍はほとんど3本。［天龍寺］と［建仁寺］などには、日本では珍しい5本爪の龍を描いた雲龍図がある。そして、あごの下に1枚だけ逆さに生えた鱗が、逆鱗と呼ばれるもの。この逆鱗に触れると龍の怒りを買うことから、「逆鱗に触れる」という言葉が生まれたのだそう。一方で、龍は水を司る神として、寺院や神社を火事から護るとも信じられてきた。京都でよく龍を見かけるのは、木造建築が多いからこそなのかもしれない。天に昇る龍の様子は、まさに開運の象徴。縁起の良い龍にあやかって、2024年が上り調子の1年となりますように。

2.Unryuzu (dragon and clouds) at Tenryu-ji Temple, depicting dragons glaring in all directions / Arashiyama

足利尊氏が後醍醐天皇の菩提を弔うために創建した［天龍寺］。世界遺産に登録されており、曹源池庭園では四季折々の美しい風景を眺められる。干支詣で参拝したいのが、法堂（はっとう）の天井に描かれた「雲龍図」だ。天龍寺開山夢窓国師650年遠諱記念事業として、1997（平成9）年に日本画家加山又造画伯によって天井に描かれた。天から八方へ鋭く睨みをきかせる墨色の龍と目が合えば、思わず圧倒されるだろう。ちなみに、大晦日の23時45分から開始する除夜の鐘では、先着108組までが鐘を撞けるとのこと。

lecture hall of a temple (esp. Zen)

Unryu style of grand champion's ring-entering ceremony

Tenryu temple

Tenryuji
Kyoto Prefecture Kyoto City
Short walk from Randen Arashiyama Station
13 minutes walk from JR Saga-Arashiyama Station
Tel.075-881-1235
Hours of Prayer
Garden 8:30-17:00 (Reception closes at 16:50)
Halls 8:30-16:45 (reception closes at 16:30)
Law hall "Unryu-zu" 9:00-16:30 (Reception closes at 16:20)
Unryu (Dragon and Cloud)" is open to the public only on Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays (with daily open periods in spring, summer, and fall).
*Suspension of visitation to the "Dragon and Cloud" section of the Dharma Hall: December 31, 2023 (Sun.) - January 3, 2024 (Wed.)
Year-end and New Year's events
December 31st - New Year's Bell
January 1: Charei (tea ceremony), celebration of the saint's birthday, and practice of the Amended Prajnaparamita.
January 3: Revised Hannya Manjusri event

Click here for details

3.［Receive an award related to the legend of the dragon hole at Yasaka Shrine / Gion, Gion, Hyogo Prefecture

厄除けを祈願する祇園信仰の総本社である［八坂神社］。平安時代の建築様式が残る本殿には、地下に青龍の住む池があるといわれている。この池は龍穴とも呼ばれており、東を司る青龍と、京都の東を護る［八坂神社］に深い縁を感じる伝説だ。また、授与所でいただける「青龍石」は、家の神棚や東の方角に置いてお祀りすることで福を招くとされる。さらに、通年授与されている御朱印の表記が2024年には甲辰（きのえたつ）に変わるので、参拝時には干支みくじと一緒にいただきたい。

The main shrine of Yasaka Shrine

Yasaka Shrine Red Seal Oriental Zodiac Signs

Red seals and Oriental zodiac lotteries: 500 yen each

Yasaka Shrine

Yasaka Shrine
625 Gion-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
5-minute walk from Keihan Gion-Shijo Station
Short walk from bus stop "Gion
Tel. 075-561-6155
Main Shrine / Opening Hours
Free in the precincts (Shrine office 9:00-17:00)
Opening hours of the awarding office during New Year's Day areOfficial sitecheck
Year-end and New Year's events
December 31, around 19:30 - Pilgrimage to Okera
January 1, 5:00- Baijiu Festival (Wakerasai)
January 3, 8:00~ New Year's Day
January 3, 9:00~ First Noh Dedication
January 3, 13:00- Karuta Hajime Ceremony

Click here for details

4.［The fusuma paintings of clouds and dragons at Ryoan-ji Temple are open to the public for a limited time only / Omuro

禅の美を表現した枯山水の庭園「石庭（せきてい）」で名高い、世界遺産の［龍安寺］。 2023年春に細川護熙氏によって「雲龍図」襖絵32面が奉納され、全40面の襖絵が完成した。これを記念し、本堂である方丈（ほうじょう）において期間限定で公開されている。辰年を迎える年末年始は特別公開の第3期にあたり、《第2～8の龍》の32面を拝観できるチャンスなので、ぜひ訪れてみて。

Image courtesy of Ryoanji Temple

Sliding door painting of "Cloud and Dragon" by Morihiro Hosokawa

Ryoanji Temple

good judge of horses or cattle
13, Ryoanji Goryonoshita-cho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Short walk from bus stop "Ryoanji-mae".
7 min. walk from Keifuku "Ryoanji" station.
Tel. 075-463-2216
opening time of the gate
Hours of visitation / 8:30-16:30 (Dec. 1-Feb. 31)
Year-end and New Year's events
November 1, 2023 - March 31, 2024
Special Exhibit of Sliding Door Paintings of "Dragons and Clouds" by Morihiro Hosokawa, 2023, 3rd period: 32 sliding door paintings 《Dragon 2〜8》.

Click here for details

5.The wooden dragon carving popping up from the ceiling is a highlight [Takio Jinja] / Near Tofukuji Station

2023（令和5）に本殿の修復が完了した、［東福寺］の近くにある［瀧尾神社］。拝殿の天井には、全長8mにも及ぶ龍の彫刻がある。躍動感溢れる龍の姿に、「龍が夜な夜な水を飲みに動き出す」と噂されたことから、金網を張って閉じ込めたという逸話が残るほどだ。そんな迫力たっぷりの彫刻とはうってかわって、社務所では愛らしい龍のおみくじもいただける。また、龍の形をした張り子や根付など、龍にまつわる授与品も多いので、干支詣の記念に持ち帰り、縁起物として飾ってみて。

Takio Shrine, worship hall, dragon sculpture

Dragon sculpture on the ceiling of the hall of worship

(Left) Popular dragon papier-mâché for 2,000 yen (Upper right) Dragon fortune for 500 yen (Lower right) Ema (votive tablet) for 500 yen at Takio Shrine

Takio Shrine

large shrine built at the end of a Shogun's reign
11-718 Honmachi, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Approx. 3 min. walk from JR Tofukuji Sta.
Tel. 075-531-2551
Main Shrine / Opening Hours
Free in the precincts (Shrine office 9:00-16:00)
*Sometimes the shrine office is not open.

Click here for details

6.You can meet komainu (guardian dragons) instead of komainu (guardian dogs) [Fushimi Shinpo Shrine] / Fushimi Inari

稲荷山の『竹取物語』ゆかりの地に祀られている［伏見神宝神社］。創建は平安時代初期と伝わり、10種の神宝が奉安されている。本殿を守っているのは、天龍と地龍と呼ばれる2体の立派な狛龍だ。参拝後は、龍のおみくじで1年の運勢を占おう。また、境内にあるお社のひとつ、龍頭大神（りゅうずおおかみ）には龍頭の像が鎮座している。

(stone) guardian lion-dogs at Shinto shrine

(Left) A statue of the dragon head at the Dragon Head Grand Shrine (Right) Dragon fortune 500 yen

Fushimi Jinpo Shrine

Because it's fushimikan, it's Jinja
15 Fukakusa Sasayamacho, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
12 minutes walk from JR Inari Station
15 minutes walk from Keihan Fushimi Inari Station
15 minutes on foot from the bus stop "Inari Taisha Mae"
Tel.075-642-5838
Main Shrine / Opening Hours
Always available for worship
Shrine office 8:30-16:00
Year-end and New Year's events
January 1, early morning New Year's Day Festival

Click here for details

7.Unryu (dragon and clouds) paintings by the Kano school can be seen at Sennyuji Temple / Higashiyama

歴代天皇の菩提を弔い、皇室との関連が非常に深い［泉涌寺］。仏殿は国の重要文化財に指定され、その天井には狩野探幽による「雲龍図」が力強い筆遣いで描かれている。また、2024年には「京の冬の旅」の非公開文化財特別公開を実施。辰年や特別な機会にのみ公開されてきた舎利殿にて、「鳴き龍」で知られる狩野山雪筆の天井画「雲龍図」を拝観できる。狩野派の絵師2人が描く「雲龍図」を見比べられるのも、辰年の干支詣ならではの特権だ。

Sennyu-ji Temple

Dragon and clouds" by Kano Tanyu on the ceiling of the Buddhist temple

Sennyu-ji Temple

Sennyuji
27 Sannaicho, Sennyuji, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
15-minute walk from Sennyuji-michi bus stop
20 minutes walk from JR Tofukuji Station
Tel.075-561-1551
Main Shrine / Opening Hours
Visiting hours: 9:00-17:00 (Last admission: 16:30) *Open until 16:00 from December to February
Entrance fee/500 yen *500 yen for the garden, the throne room, and the sea meeting hall (separate entrance fee required)
Winter Journey in Kyoto" Special exhibition of non-public cultural properties, Shariden, Sennyuji Temple
January 6, 2024 (Sat.) - March 18, 2024 (Mon.) *No viewing on January 8 (Mon., national holiday)
Hours of visitation: 10:00-16:30 (registration closes at 16:00)
Adults (junior high school students and older) 900 yen, elementary school students 500 yen

Click here for details

8.［Mysterious experience with the dragon impulse at Unryuin / Sennyuji Temple

［雲龍院］は、写経の寺として600年の歴史を有する［泉涌寺］の別院だ。玄関で出合うのは、ちょっと不思議な龍の衝立。鼻の辺りを眺めながら、左右それぞれの方向から顔を見比べると、長さが変わって見えるのだそう。まるで生きているかのような龍の変化を体感してみて。こちらでも、「京の冬の旅」として非公開文化財特別公開を行っている。本堂「龍華殿」内部では、風神雷神と双龍をダイナミックに描いた堂野夢酔（どうのむすい）筆の襖絵「双龍風雷図」を特別公開。この他にも、龍にゆかりのあるさまざまな寺宝が公開される。

Winter view from the window of the Shikishi

Dragon impulse

Unryu-in Temple

Unryuin
36 Sannaicho, Sennyuji, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
15-minute walk from Sennyuji-michi bus stop
Tel.075-541-3916
Main Shrine / Opening Hours
Visiting hours: 9:00-17:00 (Reception closes at 16:30)
Admission fee/400 yen
Year-end and New Year's events
December 31: Bell tolling at the end of the night (from 11:50 a.m., ends at 108 times) Official Insta-AccountLive streaming available at
January 1: Normal viewing
Winter Journey in Kyoto" Special Open House of Unryuin, Sennyuji Temple
January 6, 2024 (Sat.) - March 18, 2024 (Mon.) *No viewing on January 8 (Mon., national holiday)
Hours of visitation: 10:00-16:30 (registration closes at 16:00)
Adults (junior high school students and older) 800 yen, elementary school students 400 yen

Click here for details

The information is subject to change. Please contact each store or facility directly for the latest information.
All prices include tax.
※内容の誤りや閉店情報などお気づきの点がございましたら、info@leafkyoto.co.jp までお知らせください。
*Since this site uses automatic translation, the translation may differ from the original Japanese content.

Kyoto's local gourmet at home! Leaf KYOTO mall

Over 600 interviews per year! An order site carefully selected by the editors who knows Kyoto and Shiga.
nowOfficial LINE friend registration500 yen OFF coupon is being issued!

Get the latest news from Kyoto on Leaf KYOTO's official LINE!

Distributed every Friday morning at 8:00 am! From new restaurant information to event information that we want to share with you, We deliver articles about Kyoto that are useful to know. About 20,000 people have registered.Click here to add a friend!